Bridge's advisors have today released a statement on his behalf claiming the player was unavailable for England selection as his position had become “untenable and potentially divisive”. This follows on from allegations ex-Chelsea teammate and international centre half John Terry had had an extra marital affair with Bridge’s ex girl-friend. Lot of ex’s in there.
The news that Bridge is pulling out of England action won’t be too bad a deal for the likes of Leighton Baines, a player in better form, with better attributes and probably a better attitude. But for Terry and Bridge it means further muddying of water in which a captain’s armband and quite a bit of dignity is floating.
So what are the motives? Bridge stands to gain little from ruling himself out of action. Capello is narrowing down his squad for the summer all the time, and after recent confirmation of Ashley Cole’s fractured ankle any right-minded left-footed English player must be buying two boxes of Readybrek a week rather than one.
Aged 29 Bridge isn’t going to get another shot at a World Cup. Full-back is an energetic position and, unlike Terry, he isn’t an automatic and stand-out selection for his national manager.
When you start to look at the motives a darker one emerges, and it’s really quite hard to ignore: Bridge is trying to engineer Terry’s exclusion from England duty. Perhaps the former Southampton player suspects this is an area he can hurt JT in as much as JT has hurt him (and we CAN sympathise with his being upset) but the bigger question to ask, really, is should Bridge ever be allowed to play for England again?
And here’s why: Terry was stripped of the captains armband for the good of the team, according to the manager, as he is supposed to be a unifying point, a role model, a good influence etc. Taking the armband from JT was a massive blow to the Chelsea captain and has been further compounded by tabloid scumbag activities.
With this action taken by the manager surely a player dyed-in-the-wool England would put the good of his national country ahead of his own personal agenda and let it lay. No matter the feelings involved, Bridge must understand that in Terry there is one of a few genuinely world class players in the England setup. If he doesn’t realise this, he’s mental, frankly.
So the base point is it appears England’s footballing prospects don’t match his personal agenda to punish JT. Either that or he feels England are better off with him than the Chelsea man. Based on footballing ability? Perhaps if you take mind altering drugs in which one-footedness becomes a favourable deal. Based on support within the squad? JT is a popular figure with all the England lads, including City’s English contingent (none of whom wore the “Team Bridge” shirts) and personal friends with SWP, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Carlton Cole, Wayne Rooney, Gerrard to name but a few. So it can’t be on this assessment either.
This could in part be down to Bridge’s underlying frustration at the fact he isn’t good enough for England. When Ashley Cole is fit, Bridge just isn’t an option. As time ticks on there are more players vying for the spot, too, and Bridge’s City performances generally don’t convince he’s the rightful “No.2” left-back. When Jamie Carragher became too frustrated with this situation he stood down from England duty to concentrate on his club and took quite a bit of flak for making himself unavailable when still in his prime. He took it like a man, though.
Bridge? He’s using the JT saga as an excuse. A cover. He’s not up to the same challenge as Carragher and this is his exit strategy.
The motivation is clear, then, for me. The reaction from the England manager I would imagine won’t be the one Bridge is looking for: to remove JT from the setup. Fabio wants to win trophies for England, not friends.
That this is such a transparent piece of emotional blackmail will not serve the City player well, as time will tell, because sooner rather than later the public will forget News Of The World and Daily Mail (Tw*ts. Complete tw*ts. I won’t mince words) headlines and start thinking about England prospects: and who is a better centre-half in world football, even counting the last three games slip ups, than John Terry?
Wayne Bridge – scorer of legendary goals to nearly cuckolded (remember, he had split up with the girl) soap star. Pathetic, and badly advised.
Bridge's Statement In Full
“"I have thought long and hard about my position in the England football team in the light of the reporting and events over the last few weeks,"
"It has always been an honour to play for England. However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive.”
"Sadly therefore I feel for the sake of the team and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection.”
"I have today informed the management of this decision. I wish the team all the very best in South Africa."